WorldAeroData uses DAFIF for source data. After Oct. 1, 2005, this data will no longer be kept up to date, since it will only be available to Government users. DoD Flight Information Publications have been distributed to the public since the 1940's. A huge number of applications rely on DAFIF for up-to-date source data. It is the only public domain, global aviation database.

SUMMARY: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) intends to
remove its Flight Information Publications (FLIP), Digital Aeronautical
Flight Information File (DAFIF), and related aeronautical safety of
navigation digital and hardcopy publications from public sale and
distribution.
This action is taken to accomplish the following objectives:
safeguarding the integrity of Department of Defense (DoD) aeronautical
navigation data currently available on the public Internet; preventing
unfettered access to air facility data by those intending harm to the
United States, its interests or allies; upholding terms of bi-lateral
geospatial data-sharing agreements; avoiding competition with
commercial interests; and avoiding intellectual property/copyright
disputes with foreign agencies that provide host-nation aeronautical
data.
The DAFIF and related digital aeronautical information files will
be protected from general public access on the NGA home page (http://www.nga.mil
). Aeronautical Flight Information Publications (FLIP),

Navigation/Planning Charts (ONC, TPC, etc.), and the DAFIF CD will be
available only through the Department of Defense (DoD) distribution
system. U.S. Federal and State government agencies, authorized
government contractors, and international agencies that currently
receive those products under formal or informal geospatial data
exchange arrangements will not be affected by this action.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NGA and its predecessor organizations (DMA
and NIMA) have published DoD's flight information products since the
late 1940s to support the worldwide missions of DoD aircraft. The
publications are sold to the public through the auspices of the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), and the digital data has been freely
available on the Internet. Notwithstanding a prior practice of making
some of DoD's flight information available to the public in the past,
NGA does not have a statutory requirement to produce aeronautical
products for general civil aviation.
With the proliferation of digital capabilities throughout the
international aviation network, the preferred method of information
exchange is shifting from paper-based to electronic dissemination.
Numerous countries that heretofore relied on host-government agencies
to compile and publish their aeronautical information have recently
transferred that responsibility to commercial or quasi-governmental
agencies. Some of these foreign agencies are beginning to assert
intellectual property rights to the aeronautical data within their
territorial limits and are refusing to provide such aeronautical data
to DoD so long as NGA makes it available to outside interests, whom
these agencies view as possible competitors in the international
marketplace. NGA relies on foreign data obtained through bilateral
geospatial information sharing agreements, and certain nations may
impose restrictions on their data against release to third parties.
Accordingly, there is a rational basis for limiting access to
aeronautical products created for DoD use to DoD and governmental end
users.
By removing national defense aeronautical data from open source
access NGA seeks to accomplish two additional objectives. First, NGA
will reduce the vulnerability of critical navigation data on the
Internet. Second, it will limit/eliminate unfettered access to that
data by organizations and individuals intent on causing harm.
In conclusion, with the accomplishment of this proposed action NGA
aims to protect the sources and integrity of its data, honor its
bilateral agreements restricting non-governmental use, avoid
competition with commercial interests, and allow NGA to focus on its
primary customers and mission, supporting the Department of Defense.

On November 18, 2004, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) announced in the Federal Register their intent to remove Department of Defense (DoD) "Flight Information Publications (FLIPs), Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF), and related aeronautical safety of navigation digital and hardcopy publications from public sale and distribution." When this action is implemented, the Federal Aviation Administration will no longer be permitted to sell and distribute DoD aeronautical charts and publications to the public. The proposed implementation date is October 1, 2005.

In the announcement, NGA states that "this action is taken to accomplish the following objectives: safeguarding the integrity of Department of Defense (DoD) aeronautical navigation data currently available on the public Internet; prevent unfettered access to air facility data by those intending harm to the United States, its interests or allies; upholding terms of bi-lateral geospatial data-sharing agreements; avoiding competition with commercial interests; avoiding intellectual property/copyright disputes with foreign agencies that provide host-nation aeronautical data." To view a copy of the announcement, please go to the Special Notices section on the FAA, National Aeronautical Charting Office website at [naco.faa.gov].

Comments and questions from the public, though not solicited in the announcement, are permitted and encouraged. Written comments must be received no later than January 17, 2005. Please send your written comments to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Aeronautical Division, MS L-27, Attn: Joeseph S. Jarvis, 3838 Vogel Road, Arnold, Missouri 63010-6238 or e-mail them to Joseph S. Jarvis at JarvisJ@nga.mil.

A new NGA Media Release (NGA-04-11 dated 12-03-04) uses the words "considereing" and "If the proposed change in policy is adopted." It also changed the deadline for public comment to June 30, 2005. It sounds like it might be possible to effect a change in their policy. Letters to the NGA, your Senator and Representative, and to the AOPA might be effective.

It is interesting that when I go into Flight Ops areas of third world countries, I see all of the DOD publications laying al over the room and available to be copied or "taken" without concern. Now as a US Citizen flying all over the world, I will not be allowed to purchase these publications.

There is something wrong with this whole scenario that would allow this to happen in the first place. It is the same paranoia that put TSA waivers in place for flights in the USA, flown by US licensed pilots.

Once it is done, it will be impossible to get it reversed.

Just my humble opinion as one who is impacted by these knee jerk fixes to a non problem on a daily basis.

Knee jerk is right.
Note that the objectives are conflicting, in my opinion....eliminate unfettered access; commercial competition, copyright infringement, etc. Is it security or not. If so, say it and defend that position, which really can't be done since the same digital information is available for the US via FAA NACO.

Kuya D Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are ~other~ sources for this information.
> It's only a matter of time before some very savvy
> individual will find it and and post where we can
> get it...
>
>

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